ADVENTure Update - last one!

Well, October 25th has been and gone and I didn't do an update post. November 25th is just around the corner, that would have been my last update but I thought I would post it now. I am still knitting some hats for Christmas, not sure if I'll get them all done in time? 

I've started wrapping my knitted gifts, keeping it very simple with some tissue paper and yarn. There's really no point in using other bows and such because they seem to just get squashed in the mail! I like the rustic simple look of these. I hope my family appreciates the time I've spent knitting for them this year ;-)  Hopefully in the new year I can share picutres of the gifts I sent home - assuming my lovely family will take photos on Christmas day. Next year, I may get my sewing machine out, it's a lot faster. And I'll be leaving the knitting for just me!

Speaking of knitting just for me, my Dahlia cardigan is coming along nicely. Although it's on the back burner right now until I get the last of the hats knitted. Here's a picture I took a couple of weeks ago . . .  

I've since picked up and knit the other side, AND started on the sleeves, well one sleeve. This will have to sit patiently until all Christmas gifts are finished. Then hopefully I'll be able to work on it over the Christmas break. Nothing like putting your feet up and knitting over the holidays.

Birthday Treat

I was about to name this post "what have I done!" but that would seem to indicate that I regret what I had actually done - and I by no means regret it. What have I done you might ask?  I've gone and bought the yarn to knit the beautiful Dahlia Cardigan, and not only that but I'VE ALREADY CAST ON!!!!

It all started last week when I finally got a chance to drive along to a new LYS that I'd heard had just opened. As some of you may know, my only LYS closed last year and I've had no where to get yarn since, other than on line or Hobby Lobby and Michael's!  This yarn store is about a 20 minute drive from me.... well worth it too. It's called Happy Ewe. You can see the website HERE. 

 and here's a picture of the inside (taken from their website). LOOK - comfy sofas :-) A small corner of the shop is dedicated to spinning and weaving. The owners are two lovely ladies and I chatted away with them last week for well over half an hour. Turns out they are doing a Dahlia Cardigan KAL. They meet once a month and had only met once already last month. So, that was it - I decided to treat myself for my birthday and bought the recommended yarn and join in.

The yarn feels gorgeous, Manos Del Uruguay 'Serena', baby alpaca and pima cotton. It is so nice to knit with too. I would have liked to knit it in the mauve color (as seen in Interweave Knits) but the owner was already knitting it and didn't have enough yarn for me in that color. I chose this blue/grey instead. I think it will be great with my jeans, which is probably when I'll wear it most.

So, as you can see, I've knit the lace panel already for the back, that only took me 3 days. And I'm now on to the right and left sides. It's a strange set up, but I'm just taking my time and not reading too far ahead, because to be honest, it sounds rather complicated. I know it can't be that hard as there are already hundreds of FO's on Ravelry.

The thought 'what have I done' has entered my mind a few times this week, because I still have Christmas gift knitting to do but I can't put down my Dahlia knitting. And of course the sweet 'Wray' has taken a back seat too. But not to worry. A few more hats done and I'll be finished with gifts, then it's full steam ahead for ME ME ME :-)

It's taking forever!

It's Wednesday - time for another 'Yarn Along with Ginny. Christmas knitting is getting rather boring!!! There's nothing worse than thinking you HAVE to knit something (tell me I'm not the only one who thinks that). In order to make sure I have a little something knit for all of my family back in England, I've resorted to making hats for the last few people on my list (mainly the guys!). I think I only have about 5 to go. 

Other than hats, I have Wray on the needles for me, designed by the lovely Lily Kate . . . . 

 It's taking forever (in the title) is pertaining to the 1x1 rib around the yoke! It was only for 31 rows, but with over 200 stitches on the needles, it did indeed feel like it was taking me forever. Especially as I wasn't picking it up very often. But I love this pretty cardigan, knit in lace and I think it will all be worth it in the end ;-)

I'm hoping this will be my first FO of 2012 - the year I knit for ME (even though I cast on in 2011)! Along with the knitting, I am back to reading Harry Potter - after a short interval where I read 'Look Again' for book club this month. I'm reading the 4th book and can't wait to finish it, just so I can watch the movie. I borrowed the book from my neighbor and it doesn't have a dust jacket, hence the reason for the photo courtesy of Amazon.

Also joining in with WIP Wednesday 

ADVENTure Update

So, last Sunday marked the 3 month mark to Christmas - Sept 25th.  Only 2 more updates after this one! I didn't think I had much to show this month for my ADVENTure update, but I have 3 hats that I haven't shown pictures of yet. I enjoyed knitting the 'Who' owl hat pattern for my nephew's little boy, so I decided to stick with that for his little girl too . . .  I'm also working on a blue one for his other little boy ;-)

Also got a ribbed hat finished this week . . .  this is the 'fit for a boyfriend' hat pattern on Ravelry.

It knit up nicely with Hobby Lobby's I love this Wool, but knitting rib is so boring. I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere for the first couple of inches, but then it seemed to go quicker and before I knew it I was decreasing. This was originally intended for one of my brothers or brother-in-law but it's a bit small. It fit's Kristen perfectly so I will gift it to my niece's boy who is 10 yrs also, and next time I knit one for an adult I will add an extra inch before starting to decrease. 

Finally, another hat like the one I did last month but this time in grey. . .

Excuse the terrible photos! I was taking them quickly so I could write up a post. I'm hoping after the holidays I might actually get some pictures with the recipients modeling them ;-)

86 Days to Christmas! Have you started your Gift Knitting yet?

Yarn Along - 9/28

I was going to post my ADVENTure update today, but I thought I'd join in with Ginny's Yarn Along first, and post my other update later this week (cos I haven't got much to share for it!). Just like Ginny and many others who join in with 'Yarn Along' two of my favorite things is reading and knitting. I do a little of both just about every day. For the past few weeks I've been reading the Harry Potter books. I only read the first one many years ago, even though we have the first 4 books sitting on our shelves, and I've seen 3 of the movies. I started book 2 a couple of months ago, finished it in about 3 days, then watched the movie again. The following week I read book 3 and watched the third movie again with my hubby and daughter (she's 10). Now I'm reading the 4th book which is over 700 pages long and it's not going as fast. 

As well as that I'm also reading a book for book club this month called Look Again by Lisa Scottoline. It's about a woman who adopts a baby boy and later finds out he was actually kidnapped from his parents and then abandoned by the kidnappers because he had a bad heart. Bit of a mystery/suspense book and a pretty quick read. It's an interesting story line and one that will make for a good discussion at the meeting too. The woman has to make the heart breaking decision to either ignore what she finally realizes and keep the child, or share what she knows, knowing she will have to give up her son to the rightful parents. 

On the needles next to the book is another Christmas Gift hat (fit for a boyfriend!)  Knit with Hobby Lobby's I love this Wool, in black. I actually started knitting Jared Flood's Koolhaas last week but made a mistake and with black! oh my, I just couldn't do it - I hate knitting with black, so I pulled it out and started this simple beanie. I really want to do Koolhaas, but I think I'll try it with a grey yarn next time. 

Berets

I like knitting berets, so I think I'll have to start wearing them! I took (at least I tried to) some modeled shots of the Rustling Leaves Beret I just finished. Loved this pattern and wouldn't mind knitting it in a lovely Fall 'orangey' color sometime.  I love Alana's Autumn Vines beret too, so I think I'd want to knit that first before I do another Rustling Leaves. Anyway, here's some photos (the best I could do on my own, with bright sunshine and a little too much breeze for my hair!)

 

 Looking a little too serious I think!

Trying to keep my hair from flying all over!

  

Yesterday I knit another beret at the request of a friend :-) (you know who you are ;-) That's all I'll say about this one, as it may be gifted to someone from her. She wanted a simple chunky beret, so I used big needles and cast on 53sts. Increased every other stitch after the ribbing, knit 5inches more and then started decreasing.

The yarn was Sensations Angel Hair from JoAnn's Fabrics. It turned our rather nice I think, and is super warm. Might have to knit me a couple of these too ;-)

A Little 'ME' Treat!

Next month is my birthday, so I decided to treat myself and pre-order the lovely Coastal Knits book by Alana and Hannah.  

 With the pre-order you got two lovely patterns, incase you wanted to get started on something before the book arrives ;-) I decided to cast on for the pretty Rustling Leaves Beret because I had some sock yarn in stash that I could use.

I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in a soft sage green. You can see my Ravelry page HERE. I still need to take some nice modeled shots this week.  I'm not usually a hat person, but I've decided I'm going to be more 'stylish' this Fall/Winter, so wearing a hat when I go out is a good start I think (of course I'll be wearing more than just the hat, you understand!!!).

 blocking on a dinner plate!

The color looks much darker than it actually is, in the second picture, because the flash went off. It's really more like the top photo, a soft sage green.  I've just cast on for another hat for a Christmas Gift. I'm finally trying out the wonderful 'Koolhaas' by Jared Flood. I've wanted to knit this hat for ages. I'll share pics when I'm done - it's going to be a pressie for my brother. And I can mention that, cos I know he doesn't read this blog ;-)

Time for ADVENTure!

Wow, I'm actually on time this month for an update on my ADVENTure knitting. If you don't know what I'm talking about, head over to Krysten's blog to read about it. I started way back in January with her, having the intention of knitting a lot of my Christmas gifts this year. As usual during the summer I get a little off track, but right now, I have to admit I'm doing pretty good.

Since I last posted I finished Alana's lovely Cream and Sugar Cowl. It's so hard getting good photos though!

I also knit the Shawl Collared Cowl after buying it in her wonderful sale she had earlier this month. This still needs blocking and buttons adding to it. I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted that I had in stash.

And I also got a cute Owl hat knit. The pattern is actually called OWL and you can find it on Ravelry, HERE.

This still needs buttons for the eyes, not sure if I'll just put two buttons on or put the eyes on all the owls? I like the owl hat, it's rather cute and a fast knit. I may knit a couple more for my nephew's little boys.

Did I mention 2012 is gonna be a 'ME' year? I'm dying to cast on for something that I actually want - is that selfish of me?

I 'heart' Alana :-)

Alana Dakos! I just LOVE her patterns and her blog 'Never Not Knitting'. Does she have a group on Raverly? If not, she should have ;-) If I knew how to start one I would! I want to knit everything she designs. 

This week Alana has had a Fall Pattern Sale featuring one of her gorgeous patterns every day. Just the other week I bought the Cream and Sugar Cowl Pattern. It was the first one on sale this past week which of course I didn't need. Day two was the beautiful Autumn Vines Beret, but I missed it!!!! Not to worry, Alana has kindly extended her pattern sale to Monday (tomorrow) and will have a 'Oops I Missed It Sale' from between 4pm - 7pm pacific standard time.  I plan on getting the beret pattern tomorrow. I also bought the lovely Cosette wrap pattern this week and the Shawl Collard Cowl.

I've already finished the Cream and Sugar cowl and blocked it. I just haven't taken a final photo yet. I used Knit Picks Imagination sock yarn that I had in stash. I loved knitting this, and hope to add it to my queue to knit one for myself soon.  Speaking of my queue (on Ravelry of course) I've started adding things that I want to knit for ME! I think I tried this last year, but ended up knitting gifts again!  2012 is going to be a 'ME' year, definitely this time.  I think most of Alana's patterns will be on there for myself ;-) 

I cast on for the Shawl Collard Cowl as soon as I got the pattern the other day, using some Malabrigo Merino Worsted - again from stash! Not having an LYS I have to use stash or wait til I order the yarn online. This one will be a Christmas gift this year, so I plan on getting more yarn that I like and can hopefully knit one for myself for this winter.

Still got tons to knit for Christmas. It would help if I had all the patterns picked out that I want to make, but I don't. I'm just thinking them up as I go along. Mainly hats for the kiddos (cos they're quick), cowls and scarves for the girlies and I don't have a clue what I will do the menfolk!  So much to knit . . . . . so little time!

Christmas in July!

I know there's some people actually celebrate Christmas in July! One of my neighbors back in MD actually bought presents for her hubby (and he bought them for her) and they cooked a turkey, on July 25th, played Christmas carols and songs all day and would talk about Christmas past and make plans for Christmas that year. I think it all sounds wonderful, but I've never actually done it myself. Hmmm? I have 5 more days, wonder if I should cook a turkey and get out the Christmas cd's? Hubby would think I'd gone mad, I'm sure - but doesn't it sound like fun!

Well anyway, I thought it time I got back to knitting for my ADVENTure! Have you joined in with Kristyn this year? You can read her ADVENTure posts HERE.

I have only posted 3 times this year about my Christmas knitting, and as I expected, as soon as the weather started to warm up, my knitting time decreased. BUT, I have started to get back to it this week....

I cast on for this yesterday, it's a combination of a couple of different hat patterns, featuring a simple garter stitch band and a knitted flower (from a Sirdar book I have). Knit with Hobby Lobby's 'I Love This Wool', in a flesh color. I added 3 pearls to the center of the flower too. Right now I won't mention who the items are for, hopefully after Christmas I will get pictures of recipients with their gifts and can post a big update in January. 

 I did ask Kristen to try it on for me though, I think it looks so sweet. I finished it this afternoon. With knits like this I should be finished by September, ha ha - I wish! Still got lots to do, I'm casting on for another in grey tonight.  

What about you? Are you 'gift knitting' this year, and if so have you made a start on it? 

Spring Garden Tee

I need to do an update on my ADVENTure progress, but I don’t have much to share since last month because I was busy with this . . .

Spring Garden Tee by Alana Dakos

Size 32 :: Needles #5 :: Yarn Naturally Caron Spa, 2.5 balls::

This is the first pattern of Alana’s I’ve tried (love them all though) and I would definitely knit it again. I love knitting in the round with no seams :-) In fact I’m already thinking of making another one in a different color for myself, and using a different yarn.  The yarn was ok, but I’d like a ‘nicer quality’ one if I do it again.

As you can see from the pictures it was rather bright outside when I took them! So, do I knit another one OR do I get on with some ADVENTure knitting for Christmas gifts? Decisions, decisions!!!!

Hmmm!

Well as you can see I didn't take part in the Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week! The time just got away from me. I was also having my 'daily blog' redesigned and I decided I would keep all my posts (that I usually add to my other blogs) over there.... knitting related ones included!

I may still post FO's and Wips here from time to time, but if you want to follow along with me on my 'daily journal' come on over HERE and say hi :-)

I'll still be keeping this blog up and running, if for nothing else so that I can visit you from my blogroll list. Feel free to comment here still or over at my daily blog. I will see both :)

I've knit Alana's pretty Spring Garden Tee and just need to take modeled shots of it. You can see some details on my Ravelry page here.

Blog Week!

This looks like fun. I think I might just have to join in :-)  Click the banner above to read more about it.

ADVENTure Update

I’m joining in with Kristyn this year as she journeys on an ADVENTure to make all of her Christmas gifts. Mine will mostly be hand knit.

So far, I have a Juliet Scarf,  Bella Mittens, Ruffled Scarf, and a cowl (will make matching mittens). I have other items that need to be finished off, but this month I started working on this… I think this little turtle hot water bottle cover is the cutest thing. I may make more than one. I’ve done the back and this is the front. I was reading a lot this month so didn’t get too much knitting done. I’ve also made a beanie hat and 1 (yes, just one) fingerless glove for Kristen’s friend. Once I get the other mitten knit I’ll take a picture.
I also started on this little guy. . . .

right now he is a 3 legged puppy! You’d think I would just get on and do the last leg! For some reason, I always want to knit toys, but once I get started I don’t enjoy the process of knitting so many ‘parts’! There’s not even than many parts to the ‘wrap me up puppy’ by Susan Anderson, but I am still putting off knitting the leg. Also this was knit on size #4 dpns cos I didn’t have size 3. The stitching is a bit loose I think. I have now bought the size 3’s so at some point I will try another one. This one already has Kristen’s name on it!  

What I’d like to work on next is getting some gift cards made!

Modeled Shots!

LOOK! I finally got hubby to help me take some modeled shots of McCafferty! I loved knitting this. Lily, it is a beautiful pattern:-)  I’d love to try it with different weight yarns.

I used KnitPicks Palette, in color Fawn. Only took 3 balls!

Hubby started getting ‘snap happy’ with the camera!

Yup, that’s a thread hanging (above pic) I haven’t woven in the ends yet!

      

Now, it’s back to some GIFT knitting!